Vehicle Description
1964 Ford Thunderbird
By the time the fourth-generation Ford Thunderbird appeared in
1964, the Thunderbird design studio had a firm grasp of what their
customers liked and didn't like. Since the "banana-nose" design of
the Bullet Birds hadn't gone over well, Bill Boyer and his team
revisited some earlier styling themes for its 1964 successor. The
Bullet Bird's unloved recessed headlights, tail fins, and dog-dish
taillights all got the ax.
In house, for consignment, is this 4th generation T bird from Ford
known as the "flair bird". It's all grown up and has found its
niche and from past sales Ford knew now what customers wanted. This
car was formerly owned by an eldery couple until the husband passed
on, and a coat of white resprayed paint over a mostly rust free
body with a beautifully designed interior dripping of mid century
modern. A 300hp 390ci V8, a good runner, and survivor in many ways.
Some overall dirt, smudges and a few scratches and dings, but it's
all there, turn the key and enjoy this classic original car.
Exterior
Wimbledon White, like the driven snow, drapes the steel panels
throughout. Dual headlights reside within their own coves framed by
the hood and lower bumper. It takes on an almost mad look with the
lines of the hood like scowling eyebrows. The grille and bumper
setup has a few areas of surface rust and staining on it, but
remains shiny. In lieu of any side trimmings this car has machined
"skeg" lines extending through the doors into the rear fenders.
These are like mini awnings for the door handles and fender skirts
on the rear quarters. Panels are straight and have nicely managed
gaps throughout but do show some areas of prior body repair and the
starting of rust bubbles on the lower doors as well as some
invasive rust appearing on the deck lid. A scooped hood, and chrome
trimmings for the glass on the greenhouse, and large "B" pillar
complete with the Thunderbird logo emblem frame the rear of the
roofline. Bringing up the rear just below the thin designed rear
quarters and trunk lid, is the rear bumper with dual horizontal
rectangles housing taillights with more bird badges in the centers
of the taillights. Standard T bird wheel covers available for the
day with faux knockoff hubs are wrapped in thin white wall tires
all around.
Interior
Inside affords a look into the future, (from 1964 eyes), with sleek
lines and well thought usage of ribbed vinyl, solid smooth panels,
and a mix of plenty of shiny polished aluminum panels for the
doors. This car has the unique side to side moveable steering
wheel. The dual bomber styled buckets for the front seats are
covered in black vinyl and have chrome trimmings which like the
passenger chair, is a low back stylized bomber bucket with tuck and
roll and smooth black vinyl centers running through them and
stitched in winged badges. Nice chrome trimmings hold the buckets
firmly in place, and we note the driver's seat is power. Turning to
the dash, all the modern stops were pulled out for this instrument
cluster which includes a rolling line speedometer indicator,
(pointers are so pedestrian!), and 4 round eyeball gauges in deep
round bezels stretching across the bottom of the speedo. The
original steering wheel, looking all good, fronts the dash, and has
the shifter on the tree for the automatic transmission. A curved
line stretches from door to door, and melts into a center console
with plenty more of polished and brushed aluminum throughout. This
part houses a radio, heater controls, and the power window toggles.
Also, a large glove box is between the buckets within a futuristic
styled center console. In back a wonderful wrap-around rear seat in
black tuck and roll vinyl and nearly perfect condition has a
folding center armrest and side molded into the curve armrests are
seen. The design just does not get any more modern looking. In
front of the glovebox is a snappy sliding panel which reveals the
cigarette station, lighter and ashtray. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em!
Above hanging below the padded black vinyl dash is a center chromed
bezel housing the futuristic temp toggles and a central clock. A
perforated vinyl white headliner, in very white and tight condition
hangs tightly above all this mid-century modern bling, and black
carpet with serious degrees of fading floods the floors.
Drivetrain
Underneath the hood is the original engine in 390ci form and it's
backed up by the 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission. A 4-barrel
carburetor is atop, and this engine specs out showing it will
produce 300hp. All surfaces have slight patina, and gold paint now
covers the valve coverings and air cleaner housing. Handling all
those ponies is a Ford 9" rear axle fitted with 3.00 conventional
gearing.
Undercarriage
Peering underneath, there is surface rust seen on some suspension
parts, and intermittently on the floor pans, particularly on the
rear floor pans where some rust is underneath chipped off
undercoating. Although, despite this fault, these remain mostly
undercoated and solid. Some light oiling can be noted around the
transmission and engine. As noted, some slight surface rust can be
seen under the paint and on the exterior rocker areas and just
behind the rear wheel wells. Power drum brakes are all around, and
independent coil spring suspension is on front, and leaf springs
for the rear.
Drive-Ability
A bit of a hard starter when cold that was easily rectified with
some starting fluid, this car accelerated and put a smile on my
face and handled like it was on a cushion of air, very smooth big
car ride. The power seat worked, although the power windows on the
passenger side and in back were not cooperative, our consignor
states that the power windows are finicky. As noted, is a slight
exhaust leak and occasionally the shifter will not fully engage
park.
A survivor if you will, with the showing of the passage of time,
but all in a good way. Nice clean surfaces throughout, and black
vinyl for the interior is in beautiful condition. Overall, this car
is very good, and is a smooth driver and cruiser. A clean look and
nice straight lines give it the look of luxury and the exterior
design plays off the sporty end.
VIN DECODE
4Y83Z141659
4-1964
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
83-Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop
Z-390ci V8 4bbl 300hp
141659-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 63A-Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop
COLOR M-Wimbledon White
TRIM 56-Black Vinyl
DATE A18-January 18th Build
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 4-3-Speed Cruise-O-Matic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
